We was robbed by Rob

Meeting Report

Rob de Ruiter returned yet again (he has been appearing so often recently that I am wondering if he wants to join SCC. However, after the marks he gave me in the last PI competition he has got no chance-only joking), to judge our round of the Southern Photographic Federation PI competition.

And very welcome he was as usual as he is one of the better judges that visit us.

There were some really good images for us to enjoy. Eight from seven clubs; so 56 in total, and in amongst quite a number of landscapes which varied from really good to over HDR’d. One really good portrait of an elderly lady which really stood out entitled ‘Proud’ and a variety of brilliant wildlife pictures; One of a Mouse in the beak of a Tawny Owl; a Heron fishing with a brilliant reflection of the bird in the water; a Snowy Owl hunting looking straight at the camera with its bright orange eyes, magnificent, and finally an Artic tern with a fish in its beak. Excuse me for going on about the wildlife pictures but they really were outstanding, including Anne Nagle’s Bee-eaters.

The marking was out of 10 points, which I have always preferred to out of 20 as we have in Sussex. 6 1/2 feels less brutal than 13 out of 20 don’t you agree?

Three clubs tied for first place with 71 1/2 points and we got 71 and were fourth. The winning clubs were Blandford, North Hants and Shanklin. Jane Coward was our star of the show with her picture ‘Wet Feet in the Frame’ of a pair of trainers (with feet in them) on a wet cobbled street. Rob gave it an immediate 10 saying that he loved its simplicity. (Jane’s was one of only Seven 10s given). Anne Nagle's ‘Two Bee-eaters with a dragonfly’ got a 91/2 and was one of the very good nature pictures. Daisy Kane got another 91/2 with her ‘Impressions of the Southbank’ which was one of the different landscapes. Our other marks, and indeed all the marks, are attached.

We saw some very good work and as usual our thanks go to Rob, who robbed us of the top marks by a half point.

Submitted by Derek Grieve on